Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 18h

An organization that landed more than $14 million in state funding says it shouldn't have to turn over records anytime soon that would provide clarity to how the money was spent because they have effectively shut down.

CT nonprofit named in federal probe shut down due to finances, lawyer says

The Hartford nonprofit, which has been named in a federal investigation surrounding state Sen. Doug McCrory, said it has effectively closed.

www.ctinsider.com

1 5

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 1d

🚨
40% of marriages in Bridgeport were between an immigrant and a U.S. citizen, neither of whom were born in Connecticut or lived here at the time they received their marriage license

Joshua Eaton @joshuaeaton.bsky.social · 1d

EXCLUSIVE: Connecticut has become a destination for quick marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens from out of state.

Federal immigration officials have taken notice.

My latest with @brigurciullo.bsky.social and @blockhartreporter.bsky.social. www.ctinsider.com/news/article... #nutmegsky

Why couples traveling to Connecticut to wed are raising questions about sham marriages

A CT Insider investigation has found that Bridgeport has become a destination for quick marriages between immigrants and U.S. citizens, with couples traveling from out of state to wed.

www.ctinsider.com

1

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 7d

"Senator McCrory called (ed department's budget chief) and would like the full $2 million released now"

At least $250k of that went to a woman who federal investigators are looking into whether the senator is in a personal relationship with

www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...

Connecticut state senator pressed state officials to steer money to associate

State Sen. Doug McCrory pushed for millions for a Hartford nonprofit. As much as $800,000 went to his associate's organization, records show.

www.ctinsider.com

2 4

Reposted by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Connecticut News Guild @ctnewsguild.bsky.social · 21d

Hearst management continues to violate the law by changing our working conditions without bargaining.

Today, employees gathered for lunch at our different offices and asked a simple question of the company:

We’re ready to bargain. Why aren’t you?

7 12

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 21d

Lunch! #meetusatthetable

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · 27d

Federal investigators have interviewed the owner of a home in Bloomfield as they probe the relationship between state Sen. Doug McCrory and Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, whose businesses and nonprofit have landed millions from the state.

www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

Federal probe into state senator’s relationship brings investigators to Bloomfield home

An owner of the property in Bloomfield, Dana Higgins, said federal investigators reached out to her recently.

www.ctinsider.com

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Aug 11

The long wait for public records in CT ....

2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Aug 8

Come for the story about no money made it to low income homeowners, stay for this quote from a state senator under investigation

"I might have multiple girlfriends. I might not want the public to know who I am sleeping with and where I’m going."

www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

Feds probing CT lawmaker's relationship with state-funding recipient, records show. 'I did nothing illegal'

State Sen. Doug McCrory and Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin have said neither has benefited financially from their relationship.

www.ctinsider.com

2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Aug 8

A local non-profit that pays for roof repairs & other home repairs for low-income homeowners in Hartford questioned why the $2.5 million in state funding had to pass through Blue Hills Civic Association – and why Blue Hills was keeping 80% of that money.

Federal prosecutors have questions, too

1 2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Aug 1

But shout out to all those public employees who still act in good faith.

2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Aug 1

The public's right to know? CT's open records system is broken.

That's the tweet.

1 3

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Jul 25

"Shifting homeless individuals into long-term institutional settings for humane treatment through the appropriate use of civil commitment will restore public order. "
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Ending Crime and Disorder on America's Streets

By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose and

www.whitehouse.gov

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Jun 5

CT legislators approve bills to prevent lavish spending by state employees after CSCU controversy www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...

CT legislators pass bills to prevent lavish spending by state workers

Connecticut lawmakers approved two bills prompted by a CT Insider investigation that found questionable spending by the CSCU chancellor.

www.ctinsider.com

3

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · May 22

Ok Google: play Brass Bonanza, volume 10

www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...

2 12

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · May 22

Gov. Lamont: sometimes the answer isn't more money for schools, touts Connecticut spending more than most states.

Data:

Share of state spending on overall K-12 spending: 6th LOWEST in the country

Local property taxes paying for schools: 2nd HIGHEST in U.S.

nces.ed.gov/programs/dig...

Revenues for public elementary and secondary schools, by source of funds and state or jurisdiction: School year 2020-21

The primary purpose of the Digest of Education Statistics is to provide a compilation of statistical information covering the broad field of American education from prekindergarten through graduate sc...

nces.ed.gov

1

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · May 19

📣 "Some of the state’s wealthiest districts employ one certified teacher for every 11 students, many of its poorest school systems can afford only one teacher for every 14 students."

Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · May 19

This week we publish something I've worked on a long time: a five-part series on inequality in Connecticut.

CT is known for wealth, but anyone living here knows that's only half the story.

Today's part explains what makes our state the nation's inequality capital.
www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

Two Connecticuts: How gaps between rich and poor define life in CT

Few places in the United States have inequality quite like Connecticut’s, where extreme wealth and extreme struggle coexist in startling proximity.

www.ctinsider.com

1 2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 24

A $300k state grant was stolen, so nearly everyone at this Hartford nonprofit that has received $8 million in state aid this year was laid off.

Leaders of the org didn't tell the state or their board of the theft for 3 months.

www.ctpost.com/connecticut/...

CT demands Hartford nonprofit return state aid amid theft concerns

Leaders of a Hartford nonprofit waited months to notify state officials of an alleged cyber theft of $300,000 in taxpayer-funded grants, records show.

www.ctpost.com

1

Reposted by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Andrea Junker @strandjunker.com · Apr 16

“Terrible things are happening outside. Poor helpless people are being dragged out of their homes. Families are torn apart. Men, women, and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared.”

Diary of Anne Frank
January 13, 1943

270 6.2K 14K

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 21

Tell Hearst CT to play fair with journalists actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

Tell Hearst Connecticut to play fair with journalists

The Connecticut News Guild needs your help!

actionnetwork.org

3 3

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 15

The number of affordable housing units that opened with the assistance of state aid hit a 13-year low in 2024.

Here's why: www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...

2 2

Reposted by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Tom Broderick @trumbullbrod.bsky.social · Apr 15

They were not messing around in this article: “data from Lamont’s office shows the number of state-financed units completed in Connecticut declined in 2024 and has steadily declined while he’s been in office. In fact, a CT Insider review found, the 2024 total marked a 13-year low.”

1 2

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 12

Next year, may we all be free

2

Reposted by Jacqueline Rabe Thomas

Brian Lockhart @blockhartreporter.bsky.social · Apr 4

Safety protocol or overkill? Questions raised over police presence at Bridgeport Hospital following shooting. Article below.:
www.ctpost.com/news/article...

Large Bridgeport police presence at hospital was 'wrong message' after fatal shooting, advocates say

Officials, family say it was inappropriate for a large group of officers to be stationed outside Bridgeport Hospital after fatal police shooting of Dyshan Best.

www.ctpost.com

2 1

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 4

“If anyone is looking to the government to conclusively determine the government's own failings, they're going to be disappointed"

www.ctinsider.com/connecticut/...

‘Excuse making’: Critics blast Lamont, lawyers over stalled effort to improve fairness in CT courts

Connecticut spent millions to get data about prosecutors and defendants. Gov. Ned Lamont's staff is still working on a report about disproportionate outcomes.

www.ctinsider.com

3 3

Jacqueline Rabe Thomas @jrabethomas.bsky.social · Apr 3

Hearst reporters: please stop firing us.

Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · Apr 3

Members of the Connecticut News Guild just sent this letter to our bosses, regarding recent disciplinary practices, including firings:

7